What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset wipes your Maxwest tablet back to the state it left the factory — all your apps, photos, files, and settings disappear, and the operating system reinstalls itself clean. You need one when the tablet freezes constantly, apps crash repeatedly, it runs so slowly it's unusable, or you're selling it and want to erase your personal data before handing it over.
A reset is not the same as restarting. Restarting just turns the tablet off and back on. A reset erases everything and starts fresh. Once you start a factory reset, you cannot stop it partway through, so make sure you have backed up anything you want to keep before you begin.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases all apps, photos, files, and settings, so back up anything you need before you start.
- Most Maxwest tablets reset through Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data, though the exact path depends on your model and Android version.
- The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes and the tablet will restart several times on its own — do not turn it off during this time.
- After the reset completes, you will see the initial setup screen as if the tablet is brand new, and you can sign in with your Google account to restore some apps.
- If your tablet is frozen and you cannot reach the Settings menu, you can force a reset using the power and volume buttons together.
How to reset through the Settings menu
This is the standard method and works when your tablet is still responsive. Open the Settings app — usually a gear icon on your home screen or in the app drawer. Scroll down and look for a section called System, Advanced, or About Phone (the name varies by Android version). Tap into that section.
Look for an option labeled Reset options, Factory reset, or Erase all data. Tap it. The tablet will show you a warning that all data will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read it carefully — this is your final note to back out. If you are certain, tap the button to confirm, usually labeled Erase all data or Reset phone.
The tablet will restart and begin the reset process. You will see a progress bar or spinning icon. The whole process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the device. Do not turn off the tablet, remove the battery, or unplug it during this time. The tablet may restart several times on its own — this is normal.
When the reset finishes, you will see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the tablet was brand new. You can now set it up again, sign in with your Google account, and reinstall the apps you need.
Hard reset using buttons when the tablet is frozen
If your Maxwest tablet is frozen and will not respond to touches or button presses, you can force a reset using a combination of hardware buttons. First, try holding down the power button for 10 to 15 seconds to force the tablet to shut down completely. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
If that does not work, try the hard reset button combination. Press and hold the power button and the volume-down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds. Keep holding even if you see the Maxwest logo appear. You should see a recovery menu appear with white text on a black background. Use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select. Look for an option like Wipe data/factory reset or Clear all data and select it.
Confirm the reset when prompted. The tablet will erase everything and restart. This process also takes several minutes. Do not interrupt it. When it finishes, you will be back at the setup screen.
Finding your exact model and Android version
Maxwest makes many tablet models, and the exact steps can shift slightly depending on which one you own and which version of Android it runs. To find your model number and Android version, open Settings and scroll to the bottom. Look for About tablet or About phone. Tap it and you will see the model name, Android version, and build number.
Write down the model name — it usually looks something like "Maxwest Tab 7" or "Maxwest Nitro" — and the Android version number. If the steps above do not match what you see on your screen, search online for "[Your Model Name] factory reset" to find the exact path for your device. Maxwest's support pages and user manuals sometimes have model-specific instructions.
What to do before you reset
Back up anything you need. Photos and videos stored on the tablet will be erased. If they are not already backed up to Google Photos, OneDrive, or another cloud service, copy them to a computer first. The same goes for documents, notes, or any files you created on the tablet.
Write down any login information you will need after the reset. You will need your Google account email and password to sign back in and restore your apps. If you use other accounts — email, social media, banking apps — write those down too. The tablet will not remember them after the reset.
If the tablet is connected to a Wi-Fi network, you do not need to do anything special — after the reset, you can reconnect to the same network during setup. If you are selling the tablet or giving it away, the reset is all you need to do to erase your personal data. The new owner will set it up with their own account.
What happens after the reset is complete
The tablet will boot up and show the initial setup screen. You will be asked to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. If you sign in with the same Google account you used before, the tablet will automatically read and reinstall many of your apps from the Google Play Store. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed.
Apps that you purchased or downloaded from the Play Store will reinstall for free. Apps you sideloaded (installed from outside the Play Store) will not return — you will need to reinstall those manually if you still have the files. Your photos, videos, and documents will not come back unless you restore them from a backup you made before the reset.
When to call a professional
If the tablet will not turn on at all, does not respond to the power button, or shows only a black screen even after you try the hard reset, the problem may be a hardware failure rather than a software issue. In that case, a factory reset will not help. Contact Maxwest support or take the tablet to a repair shop.
If the reset starts but gets stuck on a progress screen for more than 30 minutes, try unplugging the tablet and letting the battery drain completely, then plug it in and try again. If it still gets stuck, the tablet may have a corrupted system file that a standard reset cannot fix. Maxwest support can walk you through more advanced recovery steps if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove the password or PIN I set?
Yes. A factory reset erases all security settings, including passwords, PINs, and fingerprints. After the reset, the tablet will have no lock screen until you set one up again during the initial setup process.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once a factory reset completes, the data is gone permanently. This is why backing up before you reset is so important. If you have a backup in Google Drive or Google Photos, you can restore those files after you sign back in, but files that were never backed up cannot be recovered.
Do I need to charge the tablet before I reset it?
Yes. Make sure the battery is at least 50 percent full before you start. If the tablet runs out of power during the reset, it can become stuck or fail to complete the process properly. Plug it in and let it charge for at least 30 minutes before you begin.
Will resetting the tablet remove the operating system?
No. A factory reset reinstalls the same version of Android that came with the tablet. The operating system itself is not erased — only your apps, settings, and files are removed.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most factory resets take 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish, including the automatic restarts. If it takes longer than 30 minutes, something may have gone wrong. Let it sit for a few more minutes, but if it is still stuck, try unplugging it and starting over.